Play Safe

You’re invited to the Play Safe Weekend!

We’re encouraging all clubs and leagues to show their support for an ever-safer game and take part in Play Safe 2025 which takes place on the weekend of 27 and 28 September 2025.

For grassroots clubs with youth teams there is free entry to a prize draw with over 100 Play Safe branded prizes including Nike Hoodies, training balls, youth team kit, signed England shirts and more!

Join us in making the beautiful game ever-safer for Everyone, Everywhere, Every Time.

Your free grassroots Play Safe Kick-Off pack

Your free Play Safe Kick-Oﬀ pack is full of useful resources for you to share online. It includes: social media, website and email assets.

DOWNLOAD HERE

Introducing Bib Voting

Bib Voting is a new, simple, fun, non-verbal activity that helps children share experiences and build confidence in giving feedback. It also supports coaches in adapting sessions to better meet their needs.

Just follow the steps for the age group you’re working with (5–11 or 12–16). We recommend doing it 3–4 times with different questions.

Why is Play Safe important?

Anyone’s love of football can be taken away by negative behaviour and abuse. Safeguarding prevents this from happening. A Play Safe weekend at the start of each season is there to put safeguarding at the forefront of people’s minds. It reminds everyone to watch, listen, talk, act in every football environment.

Play Safe 2024 video

FIND YOUR ROLE HERE

Parents and carers remain responsible for checking their child is taken care of in football.

Things to do as a parent/carer:

● Complete the free, 30-minute online ‘Safeguarding Awareness for Parents/Carers’ course.
● Know who your child’s coach/manager is and how to contact them.
● Know how to contact your club’s welfare officer and where to report a concern.
● Ask about FA DBS Checks and safeguarding qualifications of the staff at your club.
● Know what unacceptable behaviour looks like and the club’s Codes of Conduct.
● Keep on checking in with your child(ren) – make sure they know how to report a concern.

Committee Members have an explicit responsibility to ensure safeguards are consistently in place across the clubs’ activities. Working together you can really make a difference to keep everyone safe.

Things to do as a committee member:

● Make sure your club is following a safer recruiting process - you can find that information here
● Support coaches, check they’re working with the right ratios and role modelling the clubs code of conduct, make sure you’re happy with the way they communicate and engage with players.
● Make sure all your club’s digital/social media communications follow safe practice; they should be for specific football purposes.

As a coach or manager, you’re in a position of trust and responsibility to many.

Things to do as a coach or manager:

● Check and challenge your own behaviour, as well as other peoples. Shouting at children is not okay.
● Make sure you’re working with another DBS-checked coach.
● Only communicate online with a child’s parent or carer. Keep it football related.
● Be fair, encouraging, inclusive. Try to understand every child’s needs, speak with their parent/carer about what would work best for their child.

On or off the pitch, players should expect to feel safe, always.

Things to do as a player:

● If something feels wrong or unsafe, know how and where to report a concern.
● Keep talking to your parent/carer. Tell them if you’re worried about anything.
● Expect to play in a safe environment, always.
● Be positive and always support other players.

Being at the heart of the game, its important referees/match officials look after themselves and others.

Things to do as an under-18 referee/match official whether on matchday or at training events:

● Know who you’re officiating/training with, how you’re getting to the venue and who the club/event organiser point of contact is.
● For matches, check important details, like changing facilities and post-match support.
● Be prepared for a challenging game. Know how and where to report a problem.

Things to do as an adult referee/match official:

● Know who you’re officiating/training with and who the main point of contact is.
● Be responsible before offering under-18 officials a lift; get parent/carer consent, consider will there be a third person in the vehicle, ensure they sit in the rear of the vehicle.
● Check important details before a match, like changing facilities or post-match support.
● Be prepared for a challenging game and know how to manage conflict. Know how and where to report a concern.

As a designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) or Club Welfare Officer (CWO), you’re the first port of call.

Things to do as a DSO/CWO:

● Know who your members are and how to reach them. Consider how you can ensure everyone knows who you are and how to contact you.
● Share news and information about Play Safe to everyone at your club.
● Keep safeguarding as a regular item at committee meetings.
● Think about what could make a positive difference at your club/league and who could help you bring about that change.

Supporters should keep the sidelines positive and supportive. This way, the game is better for all.

Things to do as a spectator:

● Never shout abusive or negative things during a match. Keep it positive. Clap for everyone.
● If there’s something that feels off or unsafe, report it to the club welfare officer, or member of staff.

When everyone knows their role, together we create an ever-safer game.

01 Jan 2024 22:08

Three survivors’ stories of sexual abuse in football

Three survivors of non-recent childhood sexual abuse in football, share their experiences and discuss how safeguarding requires adults, including parents/carers to spot the signs, ask the right questions and speak up to prevent abuse from happening.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SAFEGUARDING

Safeguarding Training

Find ways you can get trained in safeguarding here.

FIND OUT MORE

Parents and Carers

Here's guidance on how you can report a concern.

FIND OUT MORE

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You’re invited to the Play Safe Weekend!

Your free grassroots Play Safe Kick-Off pack

How to play your part

Three survivors’ stories of sexual abuse in football

Safeguarding Training

Parents and Carers

Suggestions

No Results

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You’re invited to the Play Safe Weekend!

Your free grassroots Play Safe Kick-Off pack

Parent/Carer

Committee Member

Coach/Manager

Player (under-18)

Referee/Match Official

DSO/CWO

Spectators

How to play your part

Three survivors’ stories of sexual abuse in football

Safeguarding Training

Parents and Carers

Suggestions

No Results

0 Results

0 Results

0 Results

0 Results